ELECTION SEQUEL

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22349, 21 February 1936, Page 15

ELECTION SEQUEL

DOUBLE VOTE DENIED EVIDENCE OF OFFICIALS ACCUSED SENT FOR TRIAL A charge of double voting in the Auckland Central electorate on November 27, the day of the general election, was preferred against James Francis Brady, a second-hand dealer, in the Police Court yesterday. Brady was alleged to have first voted at a booth at St. Benedict's Hall, and later at a booth at the Town Hall. Accused, who was represented by Mr. Klwarth, pleaded hot guilty. Sub-In-spector Fox conducted the case for the police. Kdwin Charles Moloney, returning officer for Auckland Central, said that from a scrutiny of the rolls after the election it appeared that accused had voted twice.

Charles Hastings Butcher, a clerk, who had acted as deputy-returning officer at booth 30, St. Benedict's Hall, said - he saw accused at the booth from the time it opened until about two hours later. Accused was walking about speaking to people, a procedure that was definitely illegal. He appeared to be sober. When accused was told that a policeman would be called, he left the booth.

Molly Moore, a poll clerk at booth 30, saill she saw accused apply for voting papers. He took them across to one of the compartments to vote. She crossed his name off the list.

Bobert Henry Langdon, a poll clerk at the Town Hall, said that at about 5 p.m. a man who said his name was James Francis Brady came into witness' booth to vote. Instead of going to a compartment to which he was directed, he sat down opposite witness and voted there.

James Charles Frederick Hudson, an usher at the Town Hall, said that he had seen accused there during the afternoon. Accused seemed to be slightly under the influence of liquor.

Constable Nicol said he saw accused at the> Town Hall during the greater part of the afternoon of election day. Accused did not appear to have f.nv particular business, so witness told liim to go away. Brady went the second time he was told. When witness subsequently saw accused on December 6 and told him that a complaint had been made about his alleged double voting, Brady denied doing so, saying that ho had voted at St. Benedict's Hall only, between 10 and 11 o'clock in the morning.

Brady was committed for trial, bail being fixed at £SO, with one surety.